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Thursday, October 15, 2020
Friday, September 25, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Service Coordinator and Provider Survey- Face to Face Visits
Two weeks ago, we sent out a survey to service coordinators and providers looking for their feedback regarding the possibility of returning to face to face home visits.
The questions were designed to find out how prepared we are for returning to in-person services and what support/resources are needed.
Click Here To View Survey Results
The questions were designed to find out how prepared we are for returning to in-person services and what support/resources are needed.
Click Here To View Survey Results
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Update on suspension of face-to-face meetings and services (in Missouri)
To: First Steps Providers
From: Beth Loethen, First Steps Part C Program Coordinator
Re: Update on suspension of face-to-face meetings and services
Date: May 20, 2020
Dear First Steps Provider,
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) hopes you and your family are staying safe and healthy during this time. We appreciate your ability to be flexible during these unprecedented times. As the COVID-19 situation evolved, the Missouri First Steps Program took important steps to ensure the health and safety of families, Service Coordinators and providers. All face-to-face meetings and services were suspended effective March 18, 2020, and this suspension remains in effect until May 31, 2020. Although this was a difficult decision, it was necessary to ensure guidance was in place and safety measures could be carefully considered.
As the state begins to ease restrictions, the Missouri First Steps Program continues to monitor data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services related to the spread of COVID-19, confer with stakeholder groups and hold regular meetings with First Steps regional staff to determine an appropriate plan to resume in-person meetings and services. It is the goal of First Steps to continue to provide early intervention support to children and families in natural environments with added consideration to the health and safety of all.
Beginning June 1, 2020, availability of in-person services resumes and will be determined by the comfort level of the family, the provider and the Service Coordinator. While our mission is to continue serving children and families, alternative options are available for those who are apprehensive regarding the return of in-person services and meetings. In the coming days, Service Coordinators and providers should plan to speak with families to discuss the appropriate time to restart in-person meetings and services and include at least the following considerations:
•What is your comfort level regarding beginning in-person services and meetings right now?
•Would the health of anyone in the home be compromised by having guests enter?
•Would anyone in the home compromise the health of a guest who enters?
•What precautions will need to be taken (i.e. wearing masks, distancing, sanitizing, etc.)?
•What questions do you have for families? For your Service Coordinator? For your agency, ifapplicable?
DESE has created a phase-in plan, which includes options available after May 31, and will be found on the DESE First Steps website at https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps. Providing this phase-in plan prior to May 31 should lend itself to a smoother transition, by allowing time to process what this might look like for you, the families you serve and for your agency, if applicable. Moving forward, regular contacts with families will be necessary and situations will need to be assessed frequently.
First Steps will continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation even after the suspension of in-person services is lifted. You are a vital component of making this program work and we appreciate each and every one of you. If you have any questions, please reach out to your SPOE Service Coordinators or to DESE at sefirststeps@dese.mo.gov.
From: Beth Loethen, First Steps Part C Program Coordinator
Re: Update on suspension of face-to-face meetings and services
Date: May 20, 2020
Dear First Steps Provider,
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) hopes you and your family are staying safe and healthy during this time. We appreciate your ability to be flexible during these unprecedented times. As the COVID-19 situation evolved, the Missouri First Steps Program took important steps to ensure the health and safety of families, Service Coordinators and providers. All face-to-face meetings and services were suspended effective March 18, 2020, and this suspension remains in effect until May 31, 2020. Although this was a difficult decision, it was necessary to ensure guidance was in place and safety measures could be carefully considered.
As the state begins to ease restrictions, the Missouri First Steps Program continues to monitor data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services related to the spread of COVID-19, confer with stakeholder groups and hold regular meetings with First Steps regional staff to determine an appropriate plan to resume in-person meetings and services. It is the goal of First Steps to continue to provide early intervention support to children and families in natural environments with added consideration to the health and safety of all.
Beginning June 1, 2020, availability of in-person services resumes and will be determined by the comfort level of the family, the provider and the Service Coordinator. While our mission is to continue serving children and families, alternative options are available for those who are apprehensive regarding the return of in-person services and meetings. In the coming days, Service Coordinators and providers should plan to speak with families to discuss the appropriate time to restart in-person meetings and services and include at least the following considerations:
•What is your comfort level regarding beginning in-person services and meetings right now?
•Would the health of anyone in the home be compromised by having guests enter?
•Would anyone in the home compromise the health of a guest who enters?
•What precautions will need to be taken (i.e. wearing masks, distancing, sanitizing, etc.)?
•What questions do you have for families? For your Service Coordinator? For your agency, ifapplicable?
DESE has created a phase-in plan, which includes options available after May 31, and will be found on the DESE First Steps website at https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps. Providing this phase-in plan prior to May 31 should lend itself to a smoother transition, by allowing time to process what this might look like for you, the families you serve and for your agency, if applicable. Moving forward, regular contacts with families will be necessary and situations will need to be assessed frequently.
First Steps will continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation even after the suspension of in-person services is lifted. You are a vital component of making this program work and we appreciate each and every one of you. If you have any questions, please reach out to your SPOE Service Coordinators or to DESE at sefirststeps@dese.mo.gov.
St. Louis Area SPOE Office Is Moving!!
WE'RE MOVING!!!
After 11 years in our current location on Fern Ridge Parkway, we will be moving to our new location on Craig Rd. off of Olive just east of Hwy 270. We have enjoyed our current location and look forward to our new office which should be ready by the end of June. We will keep you updated on the exact move date and details!
Monday, April 27, 2020
April 27 Update on First Steps services
Subject: Update on First Steps services
Source: Beth Loethen, Coordinator, First Steps Program
Intended Audience: First Steps providers
Date: April 27, 2020
During this unprecedented public health emergency, First Steps continues to prioritize the health and well-being of the entire First Steps community, including children, families, contractors and service providers, all while ensuring continuity of services to the greatest extent possible.
First Steps is cautiously optimistic that the measures taken thus far are supporting the initiative to flatten the curve. Therefore, in the best interests of the First Steps community, the suspension of face-to-face services and meetings will continue through May 31, 2020. First Steps is currently developing a phase-in approach to restarting face-to-face services and meetings. First Steps will share those plans in the coming weeks.
Source: Beth Loethen, Coordinator, First Steps Program
Intended Audience: First Steps providers
Date: April 27, 2020
During this unprecedented public health emergency, First Steps continues to prioritize the health and well-being of the entire First Steps community, including children, families, contractors and service providers, all while ensuring continuity of services to the greatest extent possible.
First Steps is cautiously optimistic that the measures taken thus far are supporting the initiative to flatten the curve. Therefore, in the best interests of the First Steps community, the suspension of face-to-face services and meetings will continue through May 31, 2020. First Steps is currently developing a phase-in approach to restarting face-to-face services and meetings. First Steps will share those plans in the coming weeks.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Update on First Steps SPOE Office Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the current Stay Home Orders throughout the St. Louis Area and the entire state, we wanted to make sure that everyone is aware that we are still open for new referrals and that we have taken steps to maintain safety for families, staff, and providers.
Our main office is still open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm with very minimal staffing right now to insure social distancing. We are only accepting visitors (picking up AT, DAYC Packets, filing, visiting Resource Room, etc) between the hours of 10a-12p and we ask that you try to call ahead so we can know who to expect in the office. If you are ill or have any symptoms, please do not come to the office - stay home.
The office door remains locked at this time so please knock to let us know when you have arrived. Upon entry, we require everyone to go directly to the kitchen to wash their hands, and then sign in at the front desk. We ask that you keep your visit to no more than 15-20 minutes.
Referrals can be made by calling our main line at (314) 453-9203, by fax at (314) 453-0802, or online at www.mofirststeps.com .
Our main office is still open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm with very minimal staffing right now to insure social distancing. We are only accepting visitors (picking up AT, DAYC Packets, filing, visiting Resource Room, etc) between the hours of 10a-12p and we ask that you try to call ahead so we can know who to expect in the office. If you are ill or have any symptoms, please do not come to the office - stay home.
The office door remains locked at this time so please knock to let us know when you have arrived. Upon entry, we require everyone to go directly to the kitchen to wash their hands, and then sign in at the front desk. We ask that you keep your visit to no more than 15-20 minutes.
Referrals can be made by calling our main line at (314) 453-9203, by fax at (314) 453-0802, or online at www.mofirststeps.com .
Friday, April 3, 2020
Updated COVID-19 Temporary Guidance for Face-to-Face Visits and Meetings
To: Missouri First Steps SPOE Directors,
Service Coordinators and Providers
From: Beth Loethen, First Steps Program Coordinator
Re: Updated COVID-19 Temporary Guidance for Face-to-Face Visits and Meetings
Date: April 2, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold in Missouri, First Steps is committed to the safety and health of all those involved in our early intervention program.
On March 18, 2020, Missouri First Steps suspended all face-to-face meetings and services. This suspension will remain in effect until April 30, 2020. This suspension includes intake and direct service visits, Individual Family Service Plan and Early Intervention Team meetings.
Please review the updated guidance available on our First Steps https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps. This guidance outlines several temporary policies allowing SPOE Directors, Service Coordinators and Providers to utilize alternate and virtual methods for referral, intake, evaluation, assessment, meetings and service delivery. These temporary policies are intended to allow for some continuity of services and communication between First Steps families and their Early Intervention Team, as well as, respecting the health of all involved.
This guidance also accompanies the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs guidance on ensuring the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This document may also be found on the DESE webpage.
From: Beth Loethen, First Steps Program Coordinator
Re: Updated COVID-19 Temporary Guidance for Face-to-Face Visits and Meetings
Date: April 2, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold in Missouri, First Steps is committed to the safety and health of all those involved in our early intervention program.
On March 18, 2020, Missouri First Steps suspended all face-to-face meetings and services. This suspension will remain in effect until April 30, 2020. This suspension includes intake and direct service visits, Individual Family Service Plan and Early Intervention Team meetings.
Please review the updated guidance available on our First Steps https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps. This guidance outlines several temporary policies allowing SPOE Directors, Service Coordinators and Providers to utilize alternate and virtual methods for referral, intake, evaluation, assessment, meetings and service delivery. These temporary policies are intended to allow for some continuity of services and communication between First Steps families and their Early Intervention Team, as well as, respecting the health of all involved.
This guidance also accompanies the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs guidance on ensuring the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This document may also be found on the DESE webpage.
We will be hosting a series of Zoom meetings for providers and Service Coordinators to address any questions there may be surrounding this guidance:
Reg 1:
Reg 1:
- Region 1- 9:00am Zoom Mtg 4/6/2020
- Region 1- 12:00pm Zoom Mtg 4/6/2020
- Region 1- 3:00pm Zoom Mtg 4/6/2020
Reg 2:
- 11am (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/821556250)Meeting ID: 821 556 250
- 12:30pm (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/915438730?pwd=a3VodSt4RGMzODBUZUhralR5T1ZyZz09)Meeting ID: 915 438 730Password: 020600
- 2:00pm (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/326165643?pwd=ZDZqWHZhSWFNaFdhdFlVQ0xRYTNWZz09)Meeting ID: 326 165 643Password: 594327
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